DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2017 25 SPORT Koutsimanis ready for State Kickboxing Heavyweight Title bout On 31 March, Melbourne-born fighter Toli Koutsimanis will be fighting to continue his undefeated professional record in a fight that could earn him his first Victorian Heavyweight title. His opponent will be Mini Nachar, Victorian Heavyweight champion, and the two will battle it out for the Victorian Heavyweight title (IKBF). Although Toli's last fight was an undisputed victory, he has had to vary his approach this time as the stakes are higher than ever. The 33-year-old has undertaken an intense training regime which has included ramping up sessions with Team Ultimate Headquarters under the guidance of John Scida and Joe Demicoli, and also working hard with 'Stan the Man' Longinidis, and even going as far as Greece to train with some of the country's elite fighters. As a Greek Australian he is immensely proud of his heritage and incredibly humbled to represent both his home countries in this prestigious event. He continues to be completely overwhelmed by the support shown to him by his local community, sponsors and supporters, and has an impressively large following of people within the social media space who have faith he can bring home the title. Speaking with Neos Kosmos he said: "Even though my last fight was a victory, I could not allow that to breed complacency. I set new goals for myself and this time it wasn't all about building physical strength, it was about reconnecting body, mind and spirit, improving clarity, vision and focus. I am a strong believer that your mind will always carry your body to wherever it needs to go, irrespective the support. We start with behavioural observations and proceed with the opportunity for the individual to tell their story. People need people, 24/7. The positive self is imperative and to this we must work alongside people. What makes for unhappiness and happiness has to be understood – human beings are inherently courageous. The majority only need to understand the ways forward and they will choose happiness. The factors that can culminate in suicide are the most preventable of the various destructive behaviours that impact on families and communities. There are many ways forward. We cannot live in the silences and dangerously internalise sadness. Many of us have sat with thousands of vulnerable individuals and families. People are crying out to be heard and the majority of those who need to be heard and validated are crying out for some support so they can rise out of the grief that overwhelms them. It is not true that everyone can do this alone. Despite all the good work done by many in saving lives, the suicide toll, particularly for the most elevated risk groups, is on the increase. It is never enough to deal with the symptoms. The cause must be validated without languishing within it so as to avoid drowning in negatives and misery. Our capacity to listen is an imperative and must be achieved without judgment, for often redemption is needed: forgiveness in addition to sympathy and empathy. These skills do not come easy to everyone but they are vital in the suicide prevention space, in trauma counselling, in restorative therapies, in navigating people to a positive self. There will never be 'zero suicides' – but 6,000 suicides in two years indicts neglect. These suicides are the ones we definitely know of, we know there are many more. It is estimated that ten percent of road fatalities are suicides. Other suicides are classified as 'overdoses' or 'misadventure'. The suicide toll over the last two years could be in excess of 10,000. Happiness is something I have touched on in previous articles and will write about in ensuing articles because we have to soak up what contexts in which we want to live our meanings and mattering and what we want those around us to soak up. There is no greater legacy that any government can have than to prioritise and invest in the improving of lives, the changing of lives, the saving of lives. Happiness, humility, and reasonable-mindedness free us. Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467. * Gerry Georgatos is a suicide prevention and prison reform researcher and advocate with the Institute of Social Justice and Human Rights. He is a member of national projects to further develop suicide prevention and prisoner wellbeing and education programs. He is also a prolific writer in understanding racism and on the ways forward from racism. of any physical limitations. My overseas trip to Greece was about getting closer to my spiritual side. I have strong religious beliefs and I feel privileged to be in this position. I am eternally grateful for all of God's blessings. Visiting my grandparents birthplace and visiting some of the oldest churches in the world, getting a chance to reconnect again with my ancestors and with God has had a profound effect on my mindset. It has fuelled this new thirst inside me and I want to win this title more than I've ever wanted anything. I want to make everyone watching over me proud. While I was in Greece I took advantage of being closer to some great fighters and I was lucky enough to jump in the ring with some of them. Alexandros Chatzichronoglou from the Chatzichronoglou Fight Academy in Athens, Pavlos Kaponis from Diamond Muay Thai in Athens, Giannis Stoforidis, from Karanikolis Fight Camp in Kavala, and John Palaiologos, are just some of the great men who extended their mats to welcome me into their clubs. I will forever be grateful to the hospitality they all showed me and I am always in appreciation of all my local trainers, John Scida, Joe Demicoli, Tom Goulos, and Stan Longinidis who continue to teach me daily." Koutsimanis thanks his sponsors, fam- ily, friends and followers for their ongoing support and encouragement. If you'd like to be a part of this event and cheer our Toli on to win the title, call Team Ultimate on 0411 665 565 for a ticket. To follow Toli's kickboxing journey visit his Instagram page at www.instagram. com/tolikoutsimanis Koutsimanis' undisputed recent victory. PHOTO: ICONPHOTOGRAPHY